Palestinian Rivals Trade Barbs Again Despite Pact

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January 8, 2012 6:45PM (UTC)

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Palestinian power rivals are exchanging barbs again, less than a month after they pledged to bury their hatchets and form a unified government.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah Party is demanding an apology from Hamas after it prevented a high-level delegation from entering Gaza.

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Hamas, in turn, said Sunday one of the Fatah officials "cursed God" and was disrespectful toward Hamas security officers.

Friday's visit to Hamas-ruled Gaza by the Fatah delegation was supposed to be part of reconciliation efforts, aiming to bring about new elections for a single Palestinian government, essential for creating a Palestinian state.

The Palestinian factions have been at odds since Hamas ousted Abbas' forces and seized control of the Gaza Strip in 2007.